Ella Purnell’s journey from actress to producer with dark comedy series “Sweetpea”

A chilling in-flight experience

Not too long ago, Ella Purnell found herself inadvertently terrifying a fellow passenger during a flight. She recalls, “I was watching about 50 shows on serial killers,” while enjoying her coffee in a quaint café in East London. This accidental reveal of her viewing history, specifically shows about female serial killers, left the woman next to her visibly distressed, especially as she had a baby in tow. “I had to reassure her,” Purnell laughs, “I’m not a monster, just deeply involved in research for my job.”

Diving deep into dark comedy

The meticulous research paid off. “Sweetpea,” a darkly comic series where Purnell plays Rhiannon, a young woman who snaps and resorts to murder, is set to premiere on Starz and Sky. Describing her journey into the character, Purnell admits that the process took her to some “pretty dark places.” However, this new series marks a pivotal chapter for the 28-year-old actress, who has been in the entertainment industry for over half her life.

From screen roles to production

Purnell is widely recognized for her role in Amazon Prime’s “Fallout” series adaptation, where she plays Lucy, described humorously as “Ned Flanders meets Leslie Knope in the apocalypse.” Fans also remember her as Jackie from Showtime’s hit show “Yellowjackets”. Purnell’s career began early; at 12, she landed a role in the musical “Oliver!” at London’s Theatre Royal, catapulting her into the spotlight.

Her subsequent filmography includes Young Kathy in “Never Let Me Go,” and roles in “Kick-Ass 2,” “Maleficent,” “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” and “Army of the Dead.” On television, she starred in BBC’s “Ordeal by Innocence,” “Belgravia,” and as a voice actor in “Star Trek: Prodigy” and “Arcane: League of Legends.”

Taking charge with “Sweetpea”

“Sweetpea” marks Purnell’s significant step behind the camera. Not only does she lead the series as Rhiannon, but she also serves as an executive producer, bringing a hands-on approach to its development. “I put everything into this project. It’s unlike anything I’ve done before,” she explains with palpable enthusiasm and a touch of nervousness about the audience’s reception.

Purnell’s creative journey didn’t start here. She recently directed her first short, “Junk Male,” and eagerly sought out more creative roles, which led to her collaboration with Patrick Walters. Initially pitched as a blend of “Fleabag” and “Dexter,” Walters saw Purnell’s potential and gave her creative freedom beyond acting.

Crafting a complex character

Creating Rhiannon involved meticulous attention to details like set design and costumes, particularly focusing on her bedroom to reflect a character stuck in the past due to trauma. Purnell wanted Rhiannon’s appearance to exude loneliness and desperation, choosing dark clothes and a haggard look to establish discomfort and urgency in her narrative.

Purnell confesses, “It’s the most extreme character I’ve played.” Her deep appreciation for the crew, stemming from her early days as a child actor, drove her commitment. “Terms like ‘below-the-line’ are nonsensical; everyone on set plays a crucial part,” she declares passionately.

Expanding horizons

“Sweetpea” reveals Purnell’s aspirations to expand her creative reach. She’s exploring setting up a production company and working on new scripts, aiming to find her “creative soulmate in DP form.” Balancing these ambitions with her in-demand acting career, Purnell is set to return to filming the second season of “Fallout” soon, despite humorously admitting, “I’m unprepared and just trying to work out, knowing I’ll be running up a hill 500 times.”

Purnell’s schedule remains packed. She recently wrapped up shooting for “The Scurry,” a comedy-horror about killer squirrels, and looks forward to potential future seasons of “Sweetpea.” With 1.4 million Instagram followers, her presence extends beyond screens.

An exciting future

Purnell’s rising fame saw her attending the Venice Film Festival’s premiere of “Babygirl,” albeit cut short by a wardrobe malfunction. Looking ahead, she expresses delight with her journey. “Producing ‘Sweatpea’ was transformational. It felt like, ‘This is what I should be doing.’”

Ella Purnell’s evolution from an actress to a multifaceted creator showcases her dedication and vibrant energy. Keep an eye out for “Sweetpea” and follow her journey as she continues to break boundaries in the entertainment industry.

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